Signs your house needs rewiring.
Rewiring is a big job, so it is worth knowing when it is genuinely needed. Here are the signs that matter, and the ones that often do not.
Age is not the whole story
There is no fixed date when wiring expires. PVC insulated cable installed from the 1960s onwards is often still in good condition decades later. What matters is the type of cable, its condition, and whether the installation has the protection and earthing modern standards expect.
The only reliable way to know is an inspection and test, recorded in an EICR. That tells you whether you need a full rewire, a partial rewire, or just a few improvements.
Signs that usually mean a rewire
Some things are strong indicators that the wiring is past its best.
- Rubber, fabric or lead sheathed cables, typically from before the 1960s
- Lighting circuits with no earth conductor, common in older installations
- Round pin sockets or sockets mounted on skirting boards
- Black, brittle or crumbling cable insulation where cables are visible
- An old fuse box with rewireable fuses and a mix of cable types
- Lots of DIY alterations, extensions and spurs with no certificates
Warning signs to act on now
Some symptoms point to a problem whatever the age of the wiring. Warm or discoloured sockets and switches, a burning smell, buzzing, flickering lights or breakers that trip regularly all need investigating promptly.
The right time to rewire
If a rewire is likely in the next few years, the best time is before redecorating, fitting a new kitchen or bathroom, or laying new floors. Rewiring involves chasing cables into walls and lifting floorboards, so doing it first avoids redoing finished work.
It is also the moment to fix the things that annoy you: more sockets, better lighting, USB points and wired data for home offices and televisions.
What a rewire involves
A rewire happens in two stages. First fix replaces the cables, chased into walls and run under floors. Second fix fits the new sockets, switches, lights and consumer unit. A typical three bedroom house often takes around a week to ten days, and the work is notified to building control and certified on completion.
Common questions
Do red and black wires mean I need a rewire?
Not on their own. Red and black were the standard colours until 2004. The cable may be perfectly sound; an inspection will tell you.
Can I live in my house during a rewire?
Usually, yes. Good electricians work room by room and restore power at the end of each day where possible.
Is a partial rewire an option?
Often. If only certain circuits are in poor condition, they can be replaced without rewiring the whole house.
This guide is general information for properties in England and is not a substitute for an inspection by a qualified electrician.
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